NEW YORK (1010 WINS) — A Brooklyn man was sentenced to 18 years in prison Tuesday for a 2017 shooting that left a pregnant woman permanently disabled, officials said.
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“Today’s sentence holds the defendant accountable for his callous and wanton disregard for human life and safety in opening fire and shooting a pregnant bystander in the head, causing her permanent paralysis,” stated United States Attorney Breon Peace. “This Office and its law enforcement partners are deeply committed to protecting residents in our communities from the dangers of senseless gun violence and to ensuring that defendants like Bynum are prosecuted and punished for their heinous acts.”
In early 2017, 40-year-old Steven Bynum stole drugs from a rival drug dealer and then sold them out of the Kingsborough Houses in Crown Heights, according to court documents.
The rival drug dealer retaliated against Bynum by assaulting him in June 2017 near the Kingsborough Houses. Months later, Bynum decided to rent a car and drive to East New York to get his revenge, officials said.
Bynum drove to 2070 Dean Street where he saw his rival with a group of people, including the pregnant victim who lived in the neighborhood. Bynum circled the block, slowed his vehicle, and fired multiple shots from an illegally possessed 9mm handgun at the group, authorities said.
Instead of hitting his intended target, the bullets Bynum shot hit the woman who was five months at the time. She had two gunshots in her head and underwent multiple surgeries, spending over two months in the hospital recovering from her wounds.
The victim is now permanently paralyzed on her right side, has cognitive and speaking impediments, and suffers from other serious medical issues. Her baby was also born two months early but survived.
“Gun violence has absolutely no place in New York City,” stated NYPD Commissioner Keechant Sewell. “The NYPD, working in tandem with our law enforcement partners, is relentless in its pursuit of the very few people in our city who are responsible for the majority of the violence. Today’s sentencing sends a strong message that this behavior will never be tolerated in New York City, and that anyone reckless enough to pick up and use an illegal gun here will face the full consequences of their actions."
Bynum’s prison sentence comes after he pleaded guilty to the charges in February.
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